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GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Network as a Service Solutions

Dr. Shane C. Archiquette — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:33:18 +0000

Network as a service (NaaS) is a cloud-based networking model that allows organizations to manage and scale their network infrastructure through a subscription-based approach. Unlike traditional networking, which relies on physical hardware and manual configurations, NaaS leverages software-defined networking (SDN), automation, and virtualization to provide on-demand network services, such as bandwidth allocation, security, and connectivity optimization with application-centric customization. This approach enables organizations to deploy, configure, and manage their networks quickly and efficiently, often through an easy-to-use interface or APIs.

NaaS addresses the growing demand for agile, scalable, and secure network solutions in a rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven landscape. As businesses adopt cloud services, remote work, and internet of things (IoT) devices, the complexity of managing network resources has increased dramatically. NaaS simplifies this complexity by providing a flexible, cost-effective solution that adapts to changing business needs. It also reduces the need for large upfront investments in network hardware and maintenance, making it an attractive option for organizations looking to optimize their IT budgets while maintaining high performance and security.

NaaS is crucial for organizations across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. IT leaders, network administrators, and digital transformation teams benefit from the simplified management, scalability, and speed that NaaS offers. For CxOs, the ability to rapidly adapt network resources to meet evolving business demands without significant capital expenditures is a compelling value proposition, driving the adoption of NaaS solutions across vertical industries.

Business Imperative
From a CxO perspective, adopting NaaS is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic business decision that supports digital transformation, innovation, and operational efficiency. NaaS enables organizations to:

Enhance agility and innovation: NaaS allows businesses to rapidly deploy and scale network resources in response to market changes, seasonal demands, or new product launches in addition to rapid changes in unplanned usage. This agility is critical in a competitive environment where speed to market can be a differentiator.
Optimize costs: By converting network expenses from a capital expenditure (CapEx) to an operational expenditure (OpEx), NaaS provides financial flexibility. This model allows businesses to pay only for what they use, significantly reducing overhead costs and improving ROI.
Improve security and compliance: NaaS providers offer built-in security features such as firewalls, encryption, and threat detection, ensuring businesses stay compliant with industry regulations with rules-engine-based validation, all without additional investments in security infrastructure.
Simplify management: Automated network management reduces the need for specialized staff, decreases human error, and enables IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks rather than routine maintenance and troubleshooting.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of a NaaS solution deployment to the business, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters adoption of a NaaS solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) of 4.2 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This indicates that a NaaS solution is a strong candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for NaaS are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Category Solutions

Sector Adoption Score

Deters
Adoption

Discourages
Adoption

Merits
Consideration

Encourages
Adoption

Compels
Adoption

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for Network as a Service

This is the fourth year that GigaOm has reported on the NaaS space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective NaaS solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading NaaS offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

The GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a detailed decision framework for IT and executive leadership assessing enterprise technologies. Each report defines relevant functional and nonfunctional aspects of solutions in a sector. The Key Criteria report informs the GigaOm Radar report, which provides a forward-looking assessment of vendor solutions in the sector.

The post GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Network as a Service Solutions appeared first on Gigaom.

GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Container Networking Solutions

Andrew Green — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:35:02 +0000

Container networking solutions provide lower-level (Layer 3 and 4) networking capabilities that support communications within and between pods and clusters in a distributed application environment (container- or Kubernetes-based, for example). These enterprise-grade solutions enable organizations to define network policies, routing, network security, observability, and analytics in complex applications, and they cater to the ephemerality of containerized environments.

Kubernetes requires third-party plugins to handle networking within and across pods and clusters. Organizations have historically taken a do-it-yourself approach to networking using open source tools. Networking challenges are magnified in complex environments such as multicloud/multicluster deployments, where workforces tend to lack the skills for it. Although building networking solutions using open-source container networking interfaces (CNIs), ingress controllers, and service meshes has worked well enough up to now, there is a growing advantage in leveraging enterprise-grade tools for managing container networks.

This situation mirrors the mid-2010s, when enterprises adopted a DIY approach to managing cloud networks. But as cloud service providers began offering native networking functions, organizations encountered significant challenges in managing networks across different cloud providers. The market quickly saw the need for cloud networking solutions that could enable connectivity across hybrid and multicloud environments.

Container networking is undergoing a similar transition—although managing cloud networking across different providers was difficult, orchestrating clusters of containers across various cloud environments proves significantly more challenging.

Unlike cloud providers, which natively offer virtual networking appliances that can be set up with GUIs and are documented by the cloud providers themselves, container networking has largely been driven by community efforts, with scant prescriptive guidance on how the network must behave.

A DIY approach to container networking is much more complex than cloud networking. Container networking necessitates knowledge of both container runtimes and orchestration platforms and requires multiple third-party plug-ins such as CNIs and ingress controllers. This is a completely different kettle of fish than what networking folks are used to dealing with, having followed a training path consisting of certifications such as CCNA/CCNP or Network+.

These certifications include very few details about real-world use cases of dealing with networking in Kubernetes or other container runtimes and orchestration systems. CNIs, ingress controllers, service meshes, and network models are generally foreign concepts to network administrators.

So the networking burden often falls on DevOps teams, which have not traditionally been (and should not be) responsible for network deployment and management. To manage effectively, they must acquire knowledge spanning Layers 3 to 7, border gateway protocol (BGP), subnetting, network address translation (NAT), and the like, but that’s a fairly long training path.

A container networking solution can help level the playing field in terms of the skills required and team responsibilities. Specifically, in exchange for a paid plan you get:

Graphical user interfaces
Extensive policy definition engines
Security that goes beyond allow/block rules
Analytics and observability
Multicluster capabilities
Advanced routing capabilities

The container networking space, primarily driven by open source projects, presents challenges in defining exactly which capabilities an enterprise-grade container networking solution should offer and identifying vendors capable of effectively delivering them.

Historically, organizations have looked at open source CNIs to make a start on Kubernetes networking. Cilium and Calico are some of the most widely deployed CNIs, and their enterprise-grade versions are an obvious choice for many organizations. This is especially true as several CNIs—such as Flannel, Canal, or kube-router—lack an enterprise-grade plan, and others—such as Tungsten Fabric and Weave Net—have been discontinued and are no longer supported.

Business Imperative
To address Kubernetes networking, observability and security requirements, users typically require numerous tools, including CNI, service mesh, observability platform, multicluster (such as Submariner or Skupper), ingress gateway (such as Nginx), bare-metal load-balancer (such as MetalLB), and multi-NIC meta plugin (such as Multus). Container networking solutions bring most, if not all, of these functionalities natively, simplifying cluster management.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of deploying a container networking solution, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters adoption of a container networking solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) of 3.6 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This score positions a container networking solution as a credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for container networking are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Container Networking Solutions

Sector Adoption Score

Deters
Adoption

Discourages
Adoption

Merits
Consideration

Encourages
Adoption

Compels
Adoption

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for Container Networking

This is the second year that GigaOm has reported on the container networking space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective container networking solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading container networking offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

The post GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Container Networking Solutions appeared first on Gigaom.

Bridging Wireless and 5G

Jon Collins — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:18:15 +0000

Wireless connectivity and 5G are transforming the way we live and work, but what does it take to integrate these technologies? I spoke to Bruno Tomas, CTO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), to get his insights on convergence, collaboration, and the road ahead.

Q: Bruno, could you start by sharing a bit about your background and your role at the WBA?

Bruno: Absolutely. I’m an engineer by training, with degrees in electrical and computer engineering, as well as a master’s in telecom systems. I started my career with Portugal Telecom and later worked in Brazil, focusing on network standards. About 12 years ago, I joined the WBA, and my role has been centered on building the standards for seamless interoperability and convergence between Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE, and now 5G. At the WBA, we bring together vendors, operators, and integrators to create technical specifications and guidelines that drive innovation and usability in wireless networks.

Q: What are the key challenges in achieving seamless integration between wireless technologies and 5G?

Bruno: One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that our work translates into real-world use cases—particularly in enterprise and public environments. For example, in manufacturing or warehousing, where metal structures and interference can disrupt connectivity, we need robust solutions for starters. At the WBA, we’ve worked with partners from the vendor, chipset and device communities, as well as integrators, to address these challenges by building field-tested guidelines. On top of that comes innovation. For instance, our OpenRoaming concepts help enable seamless transitions between networks, including IoT, reducing the complexity for IT managers and CIOs.

Q: Could you explain how WBA’s “Tiger Teams” contribute to these solutions?

Bruno: Tiger Teams are specialized working groups within our alliance. They bring together technical experts from companies such as AT&T, Intel, Broadcom, and AirTies to solve specific challenges collaboratively. For instance, in our 5G & Wi-Fi convergence group, members define requirements and scenarios for industries like aerospace or healthcare. By doing this, we ensure that our recommendations are practical and field-ready. This collaborative approach helps drive innovation while addressing real-world challenges.

Q: You mentioned OpenRoaming earlier. How does that help businesses and consumers?

Bruno: OpenRoaming simplifies connectivity by allowing users to seamlessly move between Wi-Fi and cellular networks without needing manual logins or configurations. Imagine a hospital where doctors move between different buildings while using tablets for patient care, supported by an enhanced security layer. With OpenRoaming, they can stay connected without interruptions. Similarly, for enterprises, it minimizes the need for extensive IT support and reduces costs while ensuring high-quality service.

Q: What’s the current state of adoption for technologies like 5G and Wi-Fi 6?

Bruno: Adoption is growing rapidly, but it’s uneven across regions. Wi-Fi 6 has been a game-changer, offering better modulation and spectrum management, which makes it ideal for high-density environments like factories or stadiums. On the 5G side, private networks have been announced, especially in industries like manufacturing, but the integration with existing systems remains a hurdle. In Europe, regulatory and infrastructural challenges slow things down, while the U.S. and APAC regions are moving faster.

Q: What role do you see AI playing in wireless and 5G convergence?

Bruno: AI is critical for optimizing network performance and making real-time decisions. At the WBA, we’ve launched initiatives to incorporate AI into wireless networking, helping systems predict and adapt to user needs. For instance, AI can guide network steering—deciding whether a device should stay on Wi-Fi or switch to 5G based on signal quality and usage patterns. This kind of automation will be essential as networks become more complex.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of wireless and 5G?

Bruno: The potential for convergence to enable new use cases is incredibly exciting. Whether it’s smart cities, advanced manufacturing, or immersive experiences with AR and VR, the opportunities are limitless. Wi-Fi 7, will bring even greater capacity and coverage, making it possible to deliver gigabit speeds in dense environments like stadiums or urban centers. Conversely, we are starting to look into 6G. One trend is clear: Wi-Fi should be integrated within a 6G framework, enabling densification. At the WBA, we’re committed to ensuring these advancements are accessible, interoperable, and sustainable.

Thank you, Bruno!

N.B. The WBA Industry Report 2025 has now been released and is available for download. Please click here for further information.

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GigaOm Sonar for Data Processing Units (DPUs)

Dr. Shane C. Archiquette — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:00:28 +0000

Data processing units (DPUs) are specialized hardware components designed to accelerate key tasks like telecom networking, storage management, and security processing within data centers and cloud environments. Unlike CPUs and GPUs, which manage general computing tasks, DPUs are engineered to offload specific operations that would otherwise overburden traditional processors. This offloading improves the overall performance of a system by allowing the CPU to focus on core application workloads. As data volumes grow due to advancements in generative AI, IoT, and cloud services, DPUs are becoming essential for handling the increasing demands of advanced cloud infrastructures.

DPUs are particularly important because they address critical challenges in today’s AI-centric infrastructure landscape. First, they help mitigate performance bottlenecks by managing networking and security tasks that traditionally consume CPU resources, thereby reducing latency and boosting system throughput. They also offer scalability, enabling data centers to handle larger workloads without a decrease in performance. In addition, DPUs enhance security by incorporating features like encryption and real-time threat detection, which protect data during processing and transfer. These capabilities are especially valuable in industries with strict data security and compliance requirements.

The key benefits of DPUs include improved data flow, enhanced system security, and reduced operational costs. By taking over networking and storage functions, DPUs free up CPU resources, allowing for more efficient data movement and improved overall system performance. Their built-in security features provide advanced data protection, which is critical in sectors like finance and healthcare. Furthermore, DPUs contribute to cost savings by optimizing resource use, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower infrastructure expenses. Increasing programmability in newer DPU models also offers flexibility, allowing businesses to customize DPUs to meet specific workload needs.

Organizations that deal with large amounts of data—such as cloud providers, financial institutions, telecom operators, and generative AI companies—can greatly benefit from integrating DPUs into their infrastructures. Tech leaders in these sectors should consider DPUs to enhance data center efficiency, improve security, and support the growing complexity of modern workloads such as large language model (LLM) processing and real-time predictive analytics.

This report provides an in-depth look at the DPU market, analyzing leading vendors, their solutions, and how they meet modern data processing needs. It evaluates the strengths and challenges of different DPUs, focusing on throughput in networking, storage, and security performance. The report includes both specialized (Feature Play) and integrated (Platform Play) solutions but does not cover traditional computing hardware like CPUs and GPUs, as the focus is on specialized data processing technologies.

Year-over-year, the DPU market has evolved significantly. While the scope of the report remains focused on DPUs, vendors have introduced new capabilities, particularly in areas like programmability and security. Some vendors have repositioned themselves or moved out of the market, reflecting the fast-paced changes driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and machine learning.

DPUs are becoming a crucial technology for organizations looking to optimize their infrastructure for modern workloads. This report outlines the current market landscape, helping tech decision-makers understand the role of DPUs and how to select the right solution to meet their organization’s needs in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

This is the fourth year that GigaOm has reported on the DPU space in the context of our Sonar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Sonar report provides an overview of the market’s vendors and their available offerings, outlines the key characteristics that prospective buyers should consider when evaluating solutions, and equips IT decision-makers with the information they need to select the best solution for their business and use case requirements.

ABOUT THE GIGAOM SONAR REPORT

This GigaOm report focuses on emerging technologies and market segments. It helps organizations of all sizes to understand a new technology, its strengths and its weaknesses, and how it can fit into the overall IT strategy. The report is organized into five sections:

Overview: An overview of the technology, its major benefits, and possible use cases, as well as an exploration of product implementations already available in the market.
Considerations for Adoption: An analysis of the potential risks and benefits of introducing products based on this technology in an enterprise IT scenario. We look at table stakes and key differentiating features, as well as considerations for how to integrate the new product into the existing environment.
GigaOm Sonar Chart: A graphical representation of the market and its most important players, focused on their value proposition and their roadmap for the future.
Vendor Insights: A breakdown of each vendor’s offering in the sector, scored across key characteristics for enterprise adoption.
Near-Term Roadmap: 12- to 18-month forecast of the future development of the technology, its ecosystem, and major players in this market segment.

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GigaOm Radar for Network Validation

Ivan McPhee — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:00:24 +0000

Historically, network engineers relied on manual processes and ad hoc testing to verify network configurations and troubleshoot issues. However, as networks evolved and became increasingly complex, this approach was error-prone, time-consuming, and often inadequate for dynamic environments. As networks became more critical to business operations and security threats increased, organizations recognized the need for more systematic and automated validation approaches.

Modern network validation solutions leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation to provide comprehensive and proactive validation capabilities. These solutions can automatically discover and map network resources, simulate network behavior under various scenarios, and continuously monitor for compliance with security policies and industry standards.

Most network validation solutions use configuration analysis, data plane testing, and active monitoring to assess network health, performance, security, and compliance:

Configuration analysis scans network device configurations to check for errors, inconsistencies, and deviations from defined standards and policies.
Data plane testing generates synthetic traffic to verify end-to-end network paths, access control lists (ACLs), quality of service (QoS), and other data plane functions.
Active monitoring continuously polls network devices and services to validate availability, reachability, and performance against baselines.

The importance of network validation cannot be overstated. It helps organizations:

Reduce the risk of network outages and security breaches by identifying misconfigurations and vulnerabilities before they impact business operations.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards by continuously verifying network configurations against established policies.
Accelerate network changes and deployments by providing a way to test and validate changes before implementation.
Improve overall network performance and user experience by identifying and resolving issues proactively.
Provide a common understanding of network behavior and dependencies to enhance collaboration among network, security, and application teams.

Overall, network validation is a dynamic and iterative process that requires constant refinement to adapt to changing network conditions and technological advancements. It is essential for maintaining network integrity, optimizing performance, and ensuring security in today’s complex and distributed network environments. Organizations that invest in robust network validation processes and tools will be better positioned to manage their networks effectively, reduce risks, and align their network operations with business objectives.

This is our third year evaluating the network validation space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 15 of the top network validation solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading network validation offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions to make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

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GigaOm Radar for Container Networking

Andrew Green — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Container networking solutions provide Layer 3 and 4 networking capabilities that enable communication within and between pods and clusters in distributed applications, such as container- or Kubernetes-based systems. Enterprise-grade solutions in this category allow organizations to define network policies, routing, network security, observability, and analytics in complex applications, meeting the dynamic needs of containerized environments.

In distributed environments, the network is part of the application and directly impacts service performance. While Kubernetes and open-source plugins provide native networking constructs that make it easy to kickstart containerization with minimal cost, many organizations overlook the enhanced capabilities of enterprise-grade container networking solutions, relying solely on open-source options.

Without scalable enterprise-grade mechanisms, the network will eventually become a bottleneck that hinders performance as demand grows. The good news is that developers and network engineers are not locked into using Kubernetes-native networking constructs and open-source plugins.

Note: We are defining the key features in the Container Networking Radar report to be agnostic with respect to container runtimes and orchestration technologies. However, we will be using Docker and Kubernetes terminology to illustrate the concepts.

Managing networking at the container level gives organizations low-level control over security, performance, and observability. These solutions form a foundation for container security by handling segmentation, filtering, access controls, intrusion detection, and more. For distributed applications, container networking solutions support application performance by offering load balancing, observability, diagnostics, and troubleshooting. These solutions also facilitate application development by enabling multicluster, multicloud, and edge connectivity.

This is our second year evaluating the container networking space. Last year, it was as a GigaOm Sonar report (GigaOm Sonar for Container Networking) giving a snapshot of an emerging technology. This year, it’s as a more in-depth Radar report. This report builds on the previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Radar report examines nine of the top container networking solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading container networking offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

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GigaOm Radar for Network as a Service Solutions

Dr. Shane C. Archiquette — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:00:20 +0000

Network as a Service (NaaS) is evolving from a buzzword to an operational business-critical solution, a seismic shift driven by the cloud-native era. NaaS is the digital lifeblood for organizations seeking agility, scalability, and operational simplicity. Imagine an IT world where the network is no longer a patchwork of hardware but a fluid, on-demand resource that scales at will. That’s the magic of NaaS. It brings the flexibility of cloud economics to networking, replacing the old hardware-centric models with software-defined, subscription-based solutions.

Why is NaaS suddenly on every CXO’s radar? With digital transformation no longer a “nice to have” but a business imperative, companies are racing to modernize their infrastructure. Gone are the days when networking was the backroom’s problem. Today, it sits squarely on the C-suite agenda because it impacts the top line and bottom line alike.

NaaS offers a solution that not only meets current demands but future-proofs the organization, making it relevant to everyone from the CIO to the CFO. From a CxO’s lens, NaaS is crucial because it aligns directly with strategic goals—business agility, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation. Traditional networking models are slow, expensive, and notoriously difficult to scale. In an era when businesses are expanding globally overnight, launching new digital services, and consuming cloud at an accelerating pace, the network must keep up. NaaS offers that “just-in-time” networking solution without the capital expense burden. It’s as if your network could run as smoothly as your Netflix subscription—streamlined, reliable, and customized for you.

Additionally, with security threats multiplying and regulations tightening, NaaS often comes with integrated security features baked in, reducing the complexity and cost of managing disparate security systems. To put it simply: if your network isn’t as agile as your business strategy, you’re already behind. For this report, we’re focusing on NaaS offerings that can stand alone. Solutions must be robust enough to operate independently without being locked into a specific vendor’s ecosystem. It’s not just about ticking the box for standard networking features (we’re beyond that); it’s about innovating.

This report includes NaaS solutions that offer a multicloud approach, edge networking capabilities, and baked-in security features—making them not just reactive but proactive in addressing modern enterprise needs. What you won’t find in this report are vendors that treat NaaS as a side project or simply a repackaging of old tech under a shiny new name. We’re cutting through the fluff to highlight the real innovators who are pushing boundaries, not just riding trends.

If you’ve followed the evolution of this report, you’ll notice some changes. We’ve streamlined our approach, collapsing what used to be multiple radar reports into a single, more comprehensive one. Why? Because the market has matured, and it makes more sense to offer a unified view. We’ve also sharpened our focus to reflect how the NaaS landscape has evolved—today’s offerings are more about full-stack solutions that cover everything from cloud connectivity to edge computing. NaaS isn’t just a technological shift; it’s a business strategy. In this report, we peel back the layers to show you how NaaS can deliver on its promises: agility, scalability, and security. As you explore the findings, remember that the question isn’t whether you need NaaS, but how quickly you can adopt it to stay competitive in today’s fast-moving digital economy.

This is our fourth year evaluating the NaaS solutions space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 21 of the top NaaS solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading NaaS solutions offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

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GigaOm Radar for Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Solutions

Ivan McPhee — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:00:18 +0000

SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) is a transformative networking technology that has revolutionized the way organizations manage and optimize their wide area networks (WANs). At its core, SD-WAN is a software-based approach to controlling and managing WAN connections throughout enterprise networks, including branch offices, data centers, and cloud applications.

The primary purpose of SD-WAN is to improve network performance, increase agility, and reduce costs associated with traditional WAN infrastructures. It achieves this by intelligently routing traffic across multiple connection types, such as multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), broadband internet, and cellular networks, based on application requirements and network conditions. This allows organizations to leverage less expensive internet connections while maintaining the performance and reliability traditionally associated with dedicated MPLS circuits.

SD-WAN’s importance lies in its ability to address the challenges posed by the increasing adoption of cloud services, the rise of remote work, and the growing demand for bandwidth-intensive applications. As businesses become more distributed and reliant on cloud-based services, traditional WAN architectures struggle to provide the necessary flexibility, performance, and cost-effectiveness. SD-WAN offers a solution by providing:

Enhanced connectivity and reliability
Increased bandwidth and efficiency
Improved cybersecurity and protection
Enhanced flexibility to adapt to changes on demand
Improved application and network performance
Increased uptime
Streamlined network management
Enhanced user experience
Reduced costs

SD-WAN technology has evolved rapidly since its introduction in the early 2010s. Initially focused on replacing or augmenting MPLS connections with internet-based VPNs, as the technology matured, SD-WAN has expanded to encompass a broader range of features and capabilities:

Cloud optimization: SD-WAN has evolved to better support cloud-based applications and services, offering direct cloud connectivity and intelligent traffic steering.
Multicloud management: SD-WAN is evolving to provide better visibility and control across multiple cloud environments.
Edge computing support: SD-WAN is adapting to support edge computing and IoT requirements, enabling efficient data processing closer to the source.
Zero-touch provisioning: Advanced SD-WAN solutions now offer simplified deployment processes, reducing the need for on-site technical expertise.
Security integration: Modern SD-WAN solutions now incorporate advanced security features, moving towards a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) model that combines network and security functions.
5G integration: As 5G networks become more prevalent, SD-WAN solutions are incorporating this high-speed, low-latency connectivity option.
AI/ML: Advanced SD-WAN solutions leverage AI and ML for predictive analytics, automated troubleshooting, and intelligent decision-making.

Furthermore, the SD-WAN market has matured significantly, experiencing rapid growth and evolution. Key trends shaping the market include:

Market consolidation: Major networking and security vendors have acquired SD-WAN startups, creating a more concentrated market with integrated offerings.
Shift to managed services: There is a growing preference for managed SD-WAN services, with many deployments now involving service providers.

As organizations continue to digitally transform and adapt to new ways of working, SD-WAN has become a critical component of modern network infrastructure. Its ability to provide flexible, secure, and efficient connectivity across distributed environments positions it as a key enabler of business agility and innovation. The ongoing evolution of SD-WAN, particularly its convergence with security technologies and integration with emerging networking paradigms, ensures its continued relevance in addressing the complex networking challenges of the future.

This is our fifth year evaluating the SD-WAN space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 29 of the top SD-WAN solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading SD-WAN offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions to make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

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GigaOm Solution Brief: Greymatter.io

Darrel Kent — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:29:21 +0000

This GigaOm Solution Brief was commissioned by Greymatter.io and is based on the GigaOm Radar Report for Service Mesh, 2024.

Greymatter.io

Founded in 2015, Greymatter.io specializes in managing, securing, and optimizing the performance of applications and services across hybrid, multicloud, and on-premises environments. Its platform integrates service mesh capabilities, API management, and infrastructure intelligence.

Greymatter.io leverages a decentralized architecture with distributed control planes and distributed data planes. The control planes handle critical tasks such as service discovery, configuration management, and policy enforcement for specific network segments, while the Envoy-based data plane manages traffic routing, load balancing, and security enforcement. The control plane acts as a decision point for security policies across applications, APIs, data sources, and microservices, ensuring compliance with NIST zero-trust guidelines, while the data plane enforces these policies and acts as an information point closest to the resource.

The platform offers a comprehensive service connectivity framework to secure, monitor, and optimize distributed applications across hybrid, multicloud, and sovereign cloud environments, ensuring seamless communication and observability. It includes support for both sidecar and sidecarless implementations.

Key security features include automated mutual transport layer security (mTLS) for encrypted communication and ephemeral certificate management for dynamic, short-lived certificates, and SPIFFE/SPIRE integration for secure service identity. Greymatter.io supports advanced traffic management features, including dynamic routing based on real-time traffic conditions, load balancing, and fault injection.

Greymatter.io also enhances security and operational efficiency by offering comprehensive audit trails, dynamic policy enforcement, and integration with tools like security information and event management (SIEM); security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR); and endpoint detection and response (EDR). These enable robust incident detection and response capabilities.

The platform simplifies configuration management through CUE-based policies and playbooks, reducing configuration code by up to 90% compared to JSON, YAML, or Helm charts. This approach streamlines operations, enabling consistent policy enforcement, configuration management playbooks, and lifecycle management across all environments, from cloud systems to edge deployments. Greyymatter.io also provides predefined templates and workflows that automate routine tasks, reducing operational overhead and minimizing configuration errors.

How to Read This Report

The GigaOm Solution Brief concisely analyzes a vendor’s offering in a specific market. It builds on the framework developed in GigaOm’s Key Criteria and Radar reports and outlines how a vendor performs against three primary decision criteria:

Key features differentiate solutions and highlight the primary criteria to consider when evaluating a streaming data platform solution.
Emerging features show how well each vendor implements capabilities that are not yet mainstream but are expected to become more widespread and compelling within the next 12 to 18 months.
Business criteria provide insight into the nonfunctional requirements that factor into a purchase decision and determine a solution’s impact on an organization.

The specific decision criteria applied in this report are summarized below. The corresponding report GigaOm Key Criteria for Service Mesh provides more detailed descriptions of these criteria. In contrast, the corresponding report GigaOm Radar for Service Mesh provides a complete assessment of vendor solutions.

Purchase Considerations and Use Cases

Greymatter.io is sold as an annual software subscription, with licensing based on the specific platform components used—Fabric, Sense, Data, Data Mesh-Enabled Microservices, and Standard Managed Microservices—as well as expected use cases, connections, APIs, data sources, or repositories. Support licenses are also available.

Use cases for Greymatter.io include secure service-to-service communication across multiple clouds, clusters, and hybrid environments, ensuring flexibility and scalability regardless of the underlying infrastructure. The platform supports zero-trust security enforcement and compliance, API management, real-time infrastructure intelligence, and observability through detailed telemetry data.

Table 1. Target Market and User Segment Comparison

Target Market and User Segment Comparison


	Target Market					Deployment Model
Vendor	CSP	NSP	MSP	Large Enterprise	SMB	Single or Multiple Cluster	Single or Multiple Network	Single or Multiple Control Plane	Single or Multiple Mesh
Greymatter.io

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Don’t Ignore What You Can Easily Control: Your IP Infrastructure

Ivan McPhee — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:45:47 +0000

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, managing IP infrastructure has become increasingly complex and critical for organizations of all sizes. As networks grow and diversify, encompassing on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, the challenges of efficiently managing DNS, DHCP, and IP address management services—collectively known as DDI—have multiplied. This blog post explores the key challenges in managing an evolving IP infrastructure, how DDI vendors are addressing those challenges, and what steps you should take to optimize your network management.

Challenges in Managing IP Infrastructure

IP infrastructure management involves the planning, allocation, tracking, and administration of IP addresses, DNS records, and DHCP services within an organization’s network. Effective management of these core network services is crucial for ensuring network stability, security, and performance. As networks become more complex, traditional methods of managing IP infrastructure have become inadequate and error-prone, giving rise to several challenges:

Manual management and human error: Many organizations still rely on spreadsheets or outdated tools for IP address management, which are prone to human error and inefficiency. This manual approach becomes increasingly untenable as networks grow in size and complexity.
Rapid growth of connected devices: The proliferation of internet of things (IoT) devices, cloud services, and mobile technologies has led to an exponential increase in the number of IP addresses that need to be managed. This growth strains traditional IP management systems and increases the risk of address conflicts and exhaustion.
Dynamic nature of modern networks: The increasing use of virtualization and containerization technologies results in more frequent changes to IP address assignments, making it difficult to maintain an up-to-date inventory.
Complexity of hybrid and multicloud environments: As organizations adopt hybrid and multicloud strategies, managing IP addresses across diverse environments becomes increasingly challenging. Each cloud provider may have its own IPAM tools and capabilities, leading to inconsistencies and potential conflicts.
IPv4 to IPv6 transition: The ongoing transition from IPv4 to IPv6 adds another layer of complexity to IP management. Organizations must manage both protocols simultaneously, ensuring seamless communication and avoiding disruptions during the transition period.
Security and compliance: With cybersecurity’s rising importance, IP address management plays a crucial role in network security. Ensuring proper allocation, tracking, and monitoring of IP addresses is essential for maintaining a secure network and complying with various regulations.
Lack of centralized visibility: Without a centralized management system, organizations struggle to maintain an accurate, real-time view of their IP address usage across different network segments and environments.

How DDI Vendors are Addressing These Challenges

DDI vendors have recognized these challenges and are developing sophisticated solutions to address them. Here are some key ways DDI vendors are innovating to help organizations manage their IP infrastructure more effectively:

Integrated DDI platforms: Vendors are offering comprehensive DDI solutions that integrate DNS, DHCP, and IPAM functionalities into a single platform. This integration provides a unified view of the network and simplifies management tasks.
Cloud-native and multicloud support: Modern DDI solutions are designed to work seamlessly across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. They offer consistent management interfaces and capabilities regardless of the underlying infrastructure.
Automation and AI-driven management: Advanced DDI platforms leverage automation and AI to streamline IP address allocation, detect conflicts, and optimize resource utilization. This reduces the burden on IT teams and minimizes human errors.
Enhanced security features: DDI vendors are incorporating robust security features into their solutions, including DNS security extensions (DNSSEC), threat intelligence integration, and automated threat detection and response capabilities.
IPv6 transition support: DDI solutions now offer comprehensive support for both IPv4 and IPv6, facilitating a smooth transition between the two protocols and enabling efficient management of dual-stack environments.
API-driven architecture: Modern DDI platforms provide extensive API support, enabling integration with other IT management tools and supporting network automation initiatives.
Scalability and performance optimization: Vendors are focusing on developing highly scalable solutions that can handle the growing number of IP addresses and DNS queries in large-scale networks without compromising performance.

13 Recommendations for Effective IP infrastructure Management

Given the evolving landscape of IP infrastructure management and the solutions offered by DDI vendors, here are key recommendations for prospective customers:

Assess current infrastructure: Conduct a thorough assessment of your current IP infrastructure, including an inventory of all IP addresses, DNS configurations, and DHCP settings. Identify pain points and areas where manual processes are causing inefficiencies or errors.
Define clear objectives: Establish clear objectives for your IP management strategy. This might include improving security, enhancing visibility, increasing automation, or preparing for IPv6 adoption. Your objectives will guide your choice of DDI solution and implementation strategy.
Develop a structured IP addressing scheme: Create and implement a well-structured IP addressing scheme that allows for efficient allocation and easy management. Consider factors such as:
- Hierarchical addressing
- Subnet planning
- Reserved address ranges for critical infrastructure
- Future growth and scalability
Implement a centralized DDI solution: Invest in a comprehensive DDI solution that provides centralized management of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM across all network environments. Look for solutions that offer:
- Multivendor support
- Cloud and on-premises compatibility
- Automation capabilities
- Strong security features
- Scalability to accommodate future growth
Embrace automation for IP address management: Look for opportunities to automate routine IP management tasks. Leverage the automation capabilities of your DDI solution to streamline routine tasks such as IP address allocation, DNS record updates, DHCP configuration changes, and conflict detection.
Implement regular audits and monitoring: Establish a process for regular IP address audits to maintain accuracy and identify unused or misallocated addresses. Implement real-time monitoring to detect and resolve issues promptly. Adopt IP management best practices, such as:
- Implementing a structured IP addressing scheme
- Regularly auditing IP address usage
- Maintaining detailed documentation of IP assignments and policies
- Using DHCP for dynamic IP address assignment where appropriate
- Implementing proper subnet planning
Prepare for IPv6 adoption: Even if you’re not immediately transitioning to IPv6, start planning for it. This includes educating your IT team, assessing your current infrastructure’s IPv6 readiness, and choosing DDI solutions that support both IPv4 and IPv6. Develop a strategy for IPv6 adoption, including:
- Assessing current IPv6 readiness
- Planning address allocation schemes
- Testing and validating IPv6 compatibility of network devices and applications
- Implementing dual-stack configurations where necessary
Prioritize security measures: Ensure that your IP management strategy includes robust security measures. Utilize the security features of your DDI solution to improve overall network security:
- Implement DNSSEC to protect against DNS spoofing and cache poisoning
- Use role-based access control to limit administrative privileges
- Enable logging and auditing features for better visibility and compliance
Integrate with existing systems: Look for ways to integrate your DDI solution with other IT management tools and processes. Leverage API capabilities to integrate your DDI solution with other IT management tools, such as configuration management databases (CMDBs), network monitoring systems, and IT service management (ITSM) platforms.
Invest in training and educating IT staff: Invest in training and education for your IT staff to ensure they are proficient in using the DDI solution and following best practices for IP address management. This might involve formal training programs, certifications, or ongoing education initiatives.
Develop and enforce policies: Implement a process for regularly reviewing and optimizing your IP management strategy. This should include periodic audits, performance assessments, and updates to policies and procedures as your network evolves. Create clear policies and procedures for IP address management, including:
- Address allocation guidelines
- Naming conventions
- Change management processes
- Documentation requirements
Consider managed services: For organizations lacking in-house expertise or resources, consider leveraging managed DDI services offered by vendors or managed service providers to ensure optimal management of your IP infrastructure. Many vendors offer managed solutions that can provide expertise and reduce the operational burden on your IT team.
Plan for future growth: Regularly review and update your IP address management strategy to accommodate future growth and technological changes. This may include:
- Reassessing address allocation schemes
- Evaluating new DDI technologies and features
- Adjusting policies and procedures as needed

Next Steps

Effective management of IP infrastructure is essential for maintaining a stable, secure, and efficient network environment. The challenges are significant, but DDI vendors are continually innovating to provide comprehensive solutions. By taking a strategic approach to IP management, implementing a centralized DDI platform, automating routine tasks, enhancing security measures, and following best practices for IP address management, organizations can overcome the complexities of modern networks and build a solid foundation for future growth. Regular assessment, continuous improvement, and staying informed about emerging technologies and trends in IP management will be key to long-term success in this critical area of IT infrastructure management.

To learn more, take a look at GigaOm’s DDI Key Criteria and Radar reports. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of the market, outline the criteria you’ll want to consider in a purchase decision and evaluate how a number of vendors perform against those decision criteria.

If you’re not yet a GigaOm subscriber, sign up here.

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Don’t Ignore What You Can Easily Control: Your IP Infrastructure

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